Walsall Submit Vote on the Future Format of the EFL Trophy

The Saddlers have become the latest side to inform the EFL on how they see the future structure of the EFL Trophy.

Walsall Football Club have confirmed that it has submitted its vote on the future format of the controversial Checkatrade Trophy, which underwent structural changes ahead of the 2016/17 campaign.

In a statement, released via their official website Saddlers.co.uk, the club confirm that it has voted to remove the Premier League and Championship teams from the competition.

The statement reads; The EFL have been canvassing League One and Two Clubs’ opinions on the direction in which to take the competition.

The following options for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 campaigns were voted upon

1) 64-team format to include 16 invited teams2) 48-team format on a straight knockout basis3) 48-team format with a group stage followed by knockout rounds4) Abandon the competition

As a football club, we voted for Option 3 – to see a return to a 48-team format with a group stage followed by knock-out rounds. We feel this best represents the views of our supporters following a number of consultative exercises undertaken in recent months.

Each club in League One and Two had until 10.00am today to cast their vote and we now await a decision on the outcome of today’s vote.